Using Voice Commands From A Device To Remotely Access And Control A Computer

ABSTRACT

A method of using voice commands from a mobile device to remotely access and control a computer. The method includes receiving audio data from the mobile device at the computer. The audio data is decoded into a command. A software program that the command was provided for is determined. At least one process is executed at the computer in response to the command. Output data is generated at the computer in response to executing at least one process at the computer. The output data is transmitted to the mobile device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/677,351 filed on Nov. 7, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/655,061 filed on Oct. 16, 2019, which is acontinuation of U.S. Pat. No. 10,491,676 issued on Nov. 26, 2019, whichis a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 9,794,348 issued on Oct. 17, 2017,the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to the field of computer operatingsystems, and more specifically to a system for using voice commands froma mobile device to remotely access and control a computer, and a methodof use that allows a person to use voice commands from a mobile deviceto remotely access and control a computer.

Background of the Related Art

Systems for allowing a person to use voice commands from a mobile deviceto remotely access and control a computer are known in the art. However,such prior art systems are application-specific, meaning they areconfigured to allow the person to use voice commands from a mobiledevice to remotely access and control a specific application at acomputer. Therefore, the prior art systems require the person to havemultiple mobile devices and/or systems to remotely access and controlthe different applications at a computer. Additionally, the prior artsystems limit the audible and visible feedback the person can receivefrom a computer while using voice commands from a mobile device toremotely access and control the computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a system is provided for usingvoice commands from a mobile device to remotely access and control acomputer, and a method of use is provided that allows a person to usevoice commands from a mobile device to remotely access and control acomputer.

In particular, a system and method of use are provided that allow aperson to use voice commands from a mobile device to remotely interactwith a computer.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, amethod of using voice commands from a mobile device to remotely accessand control a computer is provided. The method includes receiving audiodata from the mobile device at the computer. The audio data is decodedinto a command. A software program that the command was provided for isdetermined. At least one process is executed at the computer in responseto the command. Output data is generated at the computer in response toexecuting at least one process at the computer. The output data istransmitted to the mobile device.

The present invention provides many important technical advantages. Oneimportant technical advantage of the present invention is a system thatallows a person to use voice commands from a mobile device to remotelyaccess and control a computer and see and hear the images and soundsgenerated at the computer, in response to the voice commands, in amanner similar to what the person would see and hear, if the person weredirectly and locally accessing and controlling the computer using avoice command system.

Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the advantages andsuperior features of the invention together with other important aspectsthereof on reading the detailed description that follows in conjunctionwith the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for using voice commands from a mobiledevice to remotely access and control a computer in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for providing a mobile device interfacein accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a system for providing an audio command interfacein accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a method for using voice commands from a mobiledevice to remotely access and control a general purpose computer inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout thespecification and drawings with the same reference numerals,respectively. The drawing figures might not be to scale, and certaincomponents can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identifiedby commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of system 100 for using voice commands from a mobiledevice to remotely access and control a computer in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. System 100 allows aperson to use voice commands from a mobile device to remotely access andcontrol a computer, whereby the person can operate the operating systemat the computer, operate native applications at the computer, and seeand hear the images and sounds generated at the computer in response tothe voice commands.

System 100 includes mobile device 102, which can be a suitable mobiledevice such as a cellular phone, smart phone, touch-screen device,personal digital assistant, tablet device, notebook device, laptopdevice, or other suitable mobile device that allows communication with acomputer via a wireless or wire-line network or a suitable combinationof a wireless and wire-line network.

System 100 also includes general purpose computer 104, which can be ageneral purpose processing platform or other suitable processingplatforms. General purpose computer 104 includes mobile device interface106, audio command interface 108, operating system interface 110, andnative applications 112, each of which can be implemented in hardware,software, or a suitable combination of hardware and software, which canbe one or more software systems operating on a general purposeprocessing platform. As used herein, “hardware” can include acombination of discrete components, an integrated circuit, anapplication-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gatearray, or other suitable hardware. As used herein, “software” caninclude one or more objects, agents, threads, lines of code,subroutines, separate software applications, two or more lines of codeor other suitable software structures operating in two or more softwareapplications or on two or more processors, or other suitable softwarestructures. In one exemplary embodiment, software can include one ormore lines of code or other suitable software structures operating in ageneral purpose software application, such as an operating system; andone or more lines of code or other suitable software structuresoperating in a specific purpose software application.

Mobile device 102 is coupled to general purpose computer 104 viacommunications medium 114. As used herein, “communications medium” caninclude a wire-line communications medium, a wireless communicationsmedium, an optical communications medium, an analog communicationsmedium, a digital communications medium, other suitable communicationsmedia or a suitable combination of communications media. As used herein,the term “coupled” and its cognate terms such as “couples” or “couple,”can include a physical connection (such as a wire, optical fiber, or atelecommunications medium), a virtual connection (such as throughrandomly assigned memory locations of a data memory device or ahypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) link), a logical connection (such asthrough one or more semiconductor devices in an integrated circuit), orother suitable connections. In one exemplary embodiment, acommunications medium can be a network or other suitable communicationsmedia.

Mobile device interface 106 receives voice or data information frommobile device 102. In one exemplary embodiment, mobile device interface106 is configured to monitor communications medium 114 interfacedevices, or other suitable mechanisms for interfacing withcommunications medium 114. In this exemplary embodiment, mobile deviceinterface 106 can monitor a public switched telephone network (PSTN)modem that responds to ring signals when a call is being made frommobile device 102 to general purpose computer 104, such as through adedicated telephone number. Mobile device interface 106 can answer ormonitor the answering of the PSTN modem and determine whether mobiledevice 102 is calling or whether some other device, such as a faxmachine or other computer is calling. Likewise, mobile device interface106 can operate or monitor a network connection, such as over a localarea network, DSL modem, cable modem or other suitable internet ornetwork connections and can determine whether mobile device 102 hastransmitted data to general purpose computer 104. In one exemplaryembodiment, mobile device interface 106 can receive addressing data,such as through the use of keypad entries or other data control devicesthat can transmit network addressed data to general purpose computer 104at a predetermined network address. Mobile device interface 106 canreceive such network addressed data and determine whether it has beentransmitted by mobile device 102 or other suitable devices. If it isdetermined by mobile device interface 106 that mobile device 102 hastransmitted data to general purpose computer 104, mobile deviceinterface 106 establishes a session with mobile device 102 to allowmobile device 102 to interact with general purpose computer 104.

Audio command interface 108 receives audio commands from mobile deviceinterface 106. In one exemplary embodiment, audio command interface 108can receive data from mobile device interface 106 and detect audiocommands in the data. For example, mobile device interface 106 mayreceive data from mobile device 102 without determining whether the dataincludes audio data, keypad entry data, keyboard entry data, or othersuitable data. Likewise, mobile device interface 106 can perform voicerecognition and other suitable processing and can provide voice data toaudio command interface 108.

Audio command interface 108 determines whether voice data corresponds toan audio command. In one exemplary embodiment, audio command interface108 can determine whether voice data corresponds to one of two or morepredetermined audio commands. Audio command interface 108 can alsoexecute such detected commands. Audio command interface 108 can alsoprovide a list of available commands to the person using mobile device102, such as by presenting prompts to the person, by allowing the personto request a list of available audio commands, or in other suitablemanners. Likewise, audio command interface 108 can include one or morestates, such that certain audio commands are available depending uponthe state of audio command interface 108. In this exemplary embodiment,when audio command interface 108 is being used to access and control anative application 112 or operating system interface 110, audio commandinterface 108 may change states to provide different audio commands tothe person using mobile device 102.

Operating system interface 110 allows audio command interface 108 toactivate various operating system commands. In one exemplary embodiment,audio command interface 108 can include a file of available operatingsystem commands that can be matched with voice data, such as operatingsystem commands that would otherwise be available to a person directlyand locally accessing and controlling general purpose computer 104 usinga voice command system. For example, an operating system command mayinclude a file search command that can be activated through audiocommand interface 108 and operating system interface 110. In thisexemplary embodiment, the person using mobile device 102, afterestablishing a session with mobile device interface 106, could state thecommand “search”, and audio command interface 108 could cause the searchfunctionality of operating system interface 110 to be activated. Theperson could then further identify information to be searched for suchas documents, pictures, videos, all files and folders, or other suitableprocesses can be performed.

Native applications 112 can include one or more native applicationsaccessed and controlled at general purpose computer 104. In oneexemplary embodiment, native applications 112 can be loaded into orinterface with audio command interface 108, such as by installing anapplications program interface (API) or other suitable data into audiocommand interface 108 that identifies native applications 112 andprovides available commands for audio command interface 108 to interfacewith native applications 112. In this exemplary embodiment, certainpredetermined commands for native applications 112 can be provided, suchas commands that one person would be authorized to use, whereas commandsanother person would not be authorized to use can be inhibited orblocked for that person (such as a print command, a command allowing theperson to turn off general purpose computer 104, or other suitablecommands).

In operation, system 100 allows a person to use voice commands frommobile device 102 to remotely access and control general purposecomputer 104 over communications medium 114. Unlike prior art systemsthat require voice command interoperability be provided for eachseparate native application, system 100 allows mobile device 102 toremotely access and control both operating system functions and nativeapplications at general purpose computer 104. In this manner, the personusing mobile device 102 can see and hear the images and sounds generatedat general purpose computer 104, regardless of the native application oroperating system function that is used to generate such images andsounds. As such, each native application 112 or operating system ofgeneral purpose computer 104 is not required to be configured toremotely interact with mobile device 102. Likewise, where nativeapplications at general purpose computer 104 are configured to remotelyinteract with mobile device 102, system 100 allows mobile device 102 toswitch between native applications that are configured and operatingsystem functions and native applications that are not configured forinteraction with mobile device 102.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of system 200 for providing a mobile deviceinterface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. System 200 includes network interface 202, native applicationvideo output conversion 204, and native application audio outputconversion 206, each of which can be implemented in hardware, software,or a suitable combination of hardware and software, which can be one ormore software systems operating on a general purpose processingplatform.

Network interface 202 provides an interface between general purposecomputer 104 and communications medium 114 or other suitable networks.In one exemplary embodiment, network interface 202 can monitor a modem,such as a PSTN modem, cable modem, DSL modem, or other suitable modemsfor incoming data traffic that indicates that mobile device 102 or othersuitable devices are attempting to interface with general purposecomputer 104. Likewise, network interface 202 can monitor a networkcard, such as a local area network connection, network interface card,or other suitable devices. Network interface 202 receives the incomingmobile device 102 data and performs voice or data recognition on thedata.

Native application video output conversion 204 receives nativeapplication video output from general purpose computer 104, such asvideo data that has been generated by a native application, and convertsthe video data into a format for transmission to mobile device 102 orother suitable mobile devices. In one exemplary embodiment, nativeapplication video output conversion 204 can receive screen informationfrom general purpose computer 104 operating under a native applicationor operating system command and can convert the screen information intoa format for transmission to mobile device 102. Likewise, nativeapplication video output conversion 204 can convert the nativeapplication video output into a different format for viewing at mobiledevice 102, such as a format that excludes data that would not provideadditional functionality, but would otherwise require excessivebandwidth requirements for transfer to mobile device 102.

Native application audio output conversion 206 receives nativeapplication audio output from general purpose computer 104, such asaudio data that has been generated by a native application, and convertsthe audio data into a format for transmission to mobile device 102 orother suitable mobile devices. Native application audio outputconversion 206 is coordinated with native application video outputconversion 204, so as to provide audio output that is correlated withvideo output, allowing video conferencing, playback of audio-visualdata, or other suitable processes. Likewise, native application audiooutput conversion 206 can convert the native application audio outputinto a different format for hearing at mobile device 102, such as aformat that excludes data that would not provide additionalfunctionality, but would otherwise require excessive bandwidthrequirements for transfer to mobile device 102.

In operation, system 200 allows a person using mobile device 102 toremotely provide commands to general purpose computer 104 to causenative applications or operating system functions to change state orotherwise perform suitable functions at general purpose computer 104,while at the same time allowing the person using mobile device 102 tosee and hear the images and sounds generated by the native applicationsor operating system functions at general purpose computer 104.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of system 300 for providing an audio commandinterface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. System 300 allows voice commands to be provided to theoperating system or native applications operating at general purposecomputer 104.

System 300 includes voice to command conversion 302, operating systemcommand system 304, native application command system 306 andfunctionality limitation system 308, each of which can be implemented inhardware, software, or a suitable combination of hardware and software,which can be one or more software systems operating on a general purposeprocessing platform. Voice to command conversion 302 receives voice dataand determines whether the voice data matches one or more predeterminedcommands. In one exemplary embodiment, voice to command conversion 302can determine if the voice data is in a proper sequence to be receivedas a command, has occurred at a point in time to be interpreted as acommand, and can perform confirmatory functions such as repeating thecommand to the person or other suitable functions. In one exemplaryembodiment, voice to command conversion 302 can include one or morestates, such as states based on an operating system function, a nativeapplication, or other function being accessed and controlled at apresent time. In this exemplary embodiment, when the person using mobiledevice 102 is accessing and controlling a certain operating systemfunction or native application at general purpose computer 104, voice tocommand conversion 302 can limit the number of commands to apredetermined set of commands relevant to the operating system functionor native application. Likewise, voice to command conversion 302 canallow the person using mobile device 102 to obtain a list of availablecommands, such as by stating “list”, can allow the person to requestconfirmation of commands, such as by requesting “confirm,” or canperform other suitable functions.

Operating system command system 304 allows a person to use voicecommands from mobile device 102 to remotely access and control theoperating system at general purpose computer 104. In one exemplaryembodiment, operating system command system 304 can allow the person toperform predetermined operating system commands such as a searchcommand, a run command, a program list command, or other suitablecommands. In this exemplary embodiment, the person can speak a commandthat causes the operating system to generate a display of apredetermined number of last programs that were run by the operatingsystem. Likewise, operating command system 304 can interact with theperson, such as allowing the person to obtain a list of availableoperating system commands, allowing the person to query the operatingsystem to obtain a list of native applications that are available foroperation, or in other suitable manners.

Native application command system 306 allows a person to use voicecommands from mobile device 102 to remotely access and control thenative applications at general purpose computer 104. In one exemplaryembodiment, native application command system 306 can include one ormore application programming interfaces having a predetermined set ofcommands that can be used to operate a native application. In thisexemplary embodiment, native application command system 306 can allowthe person to request a list of available native application commands,can confirm whether a spoken command received from the person was meantto be one of two or more similar native application commands, or canperform other suitable functions. For example, native applicationcommand system 306 can request the person to repeat a command that wasnot understood, can ask the person to choose between one of two similarcommands, can allow the person to navigate backwards a predeterminednumber of command steps or reset, can provide other suitable functions.

Functionality limitation system 308 interacts with network interface 202to perform password or other authorization processes, requiring theperson using mobile device 102 to be authenticated before being allowedaccess and control of general purpose computer 104 in whole or in part.In one exemplary embodiment, speech or image data can be received andcompared with stored speech or image data. The speech or image data canalso include a plurality of sets of speech or image data. In thisexemplary embodiment, the speech data can be selected from a set thatcauses one of a plurality of predetermined processes to be performed,such as a first phrase or term that causes a first native application tobe executed, a second phrase or term that causes a second nativeapplication to be executed, and so forth. Likewise, certain terms orphrases can be used in public to provide limited functionality to nativeapplications and other terms or phrases can be used in private toprovide access and control of additional native applications orfunctions of such native applications.

In another exemplary embodiment, files of image data showing differentauthorized persons or authorized persons in different states (such aswith long hair, short hair, unkempt hair, with or without facial hair ormake-up, or in other states) can also or alternatively be provided; andan image of the person using mobile device 102 can be transmitted frommobile device 102 to general purpose computer 104 to authorize accessand control of general purpose computer 104. The transmitted image datacan be compared to the stored image data and it can be determinedwhether the data matches within a predetermined tolerance, such as byusing traditional image data comparison algorithms or processes thatidentify a plurality of points or features in the facial images forcomparison. Combinations of audio and video data can also oralternatively be used for password or other authorization processes andother suitable functions.

In operation, system 300 provides an audio command interface that allowsa person to use voice commands from mobile device 102 to access andcontrol native applications or operating system functions at generalpurpose computer 104. Audio command interface 108 provides the personwith the ability to access and control both native applications that areconfigured for direct interaction with a mobile device as well as nativeapplications that are not configured for direct interaction with amobile device, allowing a person to start applications, to switchbetween applications, to shut down applications, or to perform othersuitable functions. System 300 can also limit the access and control theperson using mobile device 102 can have of general purpose computer 104.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of method 400 for using voice commands from a mobiledevice to remotely access and control a general purpose computer inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Method400 begins at 402 where a call is received from a mobile device. In oneexemplary embodiment, the call can be received over a public switchedtelephone network, a wireless network, the internet, or other suitablenetworks. In another exemplary embodiment, the call can be encrypted orcoded in other suitable manners. The method then proceeds to 404.

At 404, a session is established with the mobile device. In oneexemplary embodiment, a session can be established utilizing mobiledevice identification and confirmation, utilizing a process such as atext password and person ID, a spoken or visual password and person IDwhere the person using the mobile device transmits audio or image dataof themselves, which is confirmed using suitable processes at thegeneral purpose processor, or in other suitable manners. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the image of the person using the mobile devicecan be compared with a plurality of their images using known imagecomparison processes to determine whether a match exists within apredetermined tolerance, allowing the person using the mobile device tobe recognized in different states, such as with long hair, short hair,unkempt hair, with or without facial hair or make-up, or in othersuitable states. The method then proceeds to 406.

At 406, it is determined whether a voice or data command has beenreceived. If it is determined that a voice or data command has not beenreceived, after a predetermined time, the method then proceeds to 408where a prompt can be provided to the person using the mobile device toenter a voice or data command, or other suitable processes areperformed. In one exemplary embodiment, the prompt can confirm that asession has been established with the mobile device and the generalpurpose processing platform or other suitable computer, and can allow orprovide the person with available voice commands. Likewise, othersuitable processes can also or alternatively be performed, such asreceipt of data commands entered by a keypad entry or keyboard entry. Ifit is determined at 406 that a voice or data command has been received,the method then proceeds to 410.

At 410, the voice or data command is decoded. In one exemplaryembodiment, a voice command can be decoded by determining the equivalentword for a spoken word, whereas a data command can be decoded bydetermining whether predetermined control data precedes the data thatidentifies it as a data command such as a key entry or other suitabledata. The method then proceeds to 412.

At 412, it is determined whether the command is an operating systemcommand. If it is determined that an operating system command has beenreceived, the method then proceeds to 414 where the operating systemcommand is executed. In this exemplary embodiment, an operating systemcommand can be used to generate audio and video output data, such as acommand to play a movie file using a video player of the operatingsystem, or other suitable processes. In another exemplary embodiment,the operating system command can include a request to list availableoperating system commands, such that the operating system commandexecuted at 414 is selected from a list of available operating systemcommands. In another exemplary embodiment, operating system commandssuch as “find” or “run” can be utilized in conjunction with spellingcommands, such as where the person spells an alphanumeric fileidentifier or program name. The spelled name can then be repeated backto the person for confirmation, or other suitable processes can be used.In another exemplary embodiment, a document, spreadsheet, photographicimage, audio recording, video recording, web page or other suitable dataviewer/player can be used to find and view/play a document, spreadsheet,photographic image, audio recording, video recording, web page or othersuitable data; and navigation commands such as “back” or “forward” canbe used to navigate through a set of files of documents, spreadsheets,photographic images, audio recordings, video recordings, web pages,search results of such data, or other suitable data. The method thenproceeds to 422.

At 422, the audio output data, video output data, or audio and videooutput data, generated at the computer is converted to a mobile deviceformat. In one exemplary embodiment, the audio output data and videooutput data can be converted from a format generated at the generalpurpose processing platform to a format compatible with the mobiledevice, such as one having a reduced amount of data, a reduced number ofpixels, reduced definition, reduced audio content, or other suitableformats that are optimized for the mobile device. In another exemplaryembodiment, the audio output data and video output data can be convertedinto a format that excludes data that would not provide additionalfunctionality, but would otherwise require excessive bandwidthrequirements for transfer to mobile device 102. In another exemplaryembodiment, the audio output data and video output data can be encryptedor coded in other suitable manners. The method then proceeds to 424.

At 424, the audio output data, video output data, or audio and videooutput data, converted to a mobile device format is transmitted to themobile device. In one exemplary embodiment, the audio output data andvideo output data are coordinated with each other, so as to provideaudio output that is correlated with video output, allowing videoconferencing, playback of audio-visual data, or other suitableprocesses. In another exemplary embodiment, the audio output data can betransmitted without the video output data being transmitted. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the video output data can be transmitted withoutthe audio output data being transmitted. In another exemplaryembodiment, audio output data and video output data can be convertedinto a format that allows data transmission to the mobile device inaccordance with the bandwidth available at the time of the transmission.The method then proceeds to 426.

At 426, it is determined whether a response has been received from themobile device. If no response has been received, the method proceeds to428 and terminates. Likewise, the person using the mobile device can beprompted to confirm whether or not they have received the convertedaudio output data, the converted video output data, or whether they arestill active. A “ping” command or other suitable operations can also oralternatively be performed to determine whether a connection stillexists with the mobile device. If a response is received at 426, themethod then returns to 406.

If it is determined at 412 that an operating system command has not beenreceived, the method then proceeds to 416 where it is determined whethera native application command has been received. In one exemplaryembodiment, a native application command can include a request to listavailable native applications, a command to request a list of availablenative application commands (such as from an API), or other suitablenative application commands. If it is determined at 416 that a nativeapplication command has been received, the method then proceeds to 418where the command is executed. The method then proceeds to 422.Otherwise, if it is determined at 416 that the native applicationcommand has not been received, the method proceeds to 420 where an errormessage is generated. In one exemplary embodiment, the error message caninclude feedback to the person using the mobile device that the voice ordata command received was not recognized as an available operatingsystem or native application command. The method then returns to 406.

In operation, method 400 allows a person using a mobile device toremotely interact with a computer, whereby the person is able to commandthe computer from the mobile device and see and hear the images andsounds generated at the computer, in response to the commands receivedfrom the mobile device, in a manner similar to what the person would seeand hear, if the person were directly and locally interacting with thecomputer.

Although exemplary embodiments of the system and method of the presentinvention have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the artwill also recognize that various substitutions and modifications can bemade to the systems and methods without departing from the scope andspirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for remotely accessing and controlling acomputer from a mobile device comprising: coupling a mobile device to acomputer via a communications medium, wherein the computer comprises: amobile device interface; an audio command interface; an operating systeminterface; and native applications; receiving voice commands from aperson, wherein the mobile device receives the voice commands; receivingvoice data from the mobile device, wherein the computer receives thevoice data; performing voice recognition at the mobile device interface,wherein the mobile device interface is capable of providing the voicedata to the audio command interface; decoding the voice data into anaudio command at the audio command interface; determining whether theaudio command is an operating system command or a native applicationcommand; and executing the operating system command or the nativeapplication command; generating output data at the computer; convertingthe output at the computer to a mobile device format; and transmittingthe output data to the mobile device, wherein images and soundsgenerated at the computer are visible and audible at the mobile device.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice commands are capable ofcontrolling an operating system on the computer.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the voice commands are capable of controlling the nativeapplications on the computer.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein themobile device comprises a cellular phone, smart phone, touch-screendevice, personal digital assistant, tablet device, notebook device,laptop device, another suitable mobile device that allows forcommunication with the computer, or combinations thereof.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the communications medium is a wireless network. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the voice data corresponds to one of twoor more predetermined audio commands.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe audio command interface comprises a voice-to-command conversionunit, wherein the voice-to-command conversion unit determines if thevoice data is in a proper sequence to be received as a command and ifthe voice data has occurred at a point in time to be interpreted as acommand.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the voice-to-commandconversion unit performs confirmatory functions comprising repeating thecommand to the person.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the output datacomprises audio, video, or any combinations thereof.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the output data excludes data that would not provideadditional functionality.